Tom Aspinall Wants to be Backup Fighter for Jones vs. Miocic at UFC 309

Tom Aspinall plans on being ready if anything goes wrong with the UFC 309 headliner.

UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that Jon Jones (27-1) will defend his title against Stipe Miocic (20-4) in the main event at UFC 309 on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Interim champion Aspinall is glad that the long overdue matchup is finally confirmed and has already asked the UFC for a backup spot in case someone pulls out.

“The heavyweight title’s on the line at long last,” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. “Finally we’re confirmed for it. I, of course will be there to watch these two gentlemen go at it. I, of course, have told the UFC if anybody gets injured or if there’s any other reason why nobody can make it to that fight, why one of them might pull out, I’m ready to go. If I need to, I’ll fight both of them on the same night. No problem.”

Jones and Miocic were originally scheduled to fight at UFC 295 in November 2023 before “Bones” was forced out due to an injury. Aspinall went on to win the interim title with a knockout win over Sergei Pavlovich in a short-notice matchup on the same card.

Aspinall has since been rallying for a title unification bout against Jones upon his return. However, Jones remains adamant on fighting the 42-year-old Miocic, with both parties hinting at potential retirement afterwards. While Aspinall was only respectful towards both Miocic and Jones in the beginning of their banter, the Englishman has since slightly changed course. “Honey Badger” has compared Miocic to Joe Biden while repeatedly accusing Jones of ducking him in an attempt to coax “Bones” into a fight.

Aspinall is now glad to finally have the gears moving for a chance to become the undisputed king at heavyweight.

“Give me my undisputed title,” Aspinall said. “Because in my opinion, it should not be two champions in one weight division. I find that silly. This is not what UFC is about, this is not what MMA is about. There’s one guy in each weight division, and I believe it’s me. So I’ll be fighting the winner, of course. As I said, I will be there if they need me. I’ll be fit and ready. I’m training right now, I’m ready to go on the 16th of November if I need to, MSG, the place where I won the title. I’ll go back there, and I’ll unify the title there as well if I need to.”

Meanwhile Jones once again indicated that retirement will come after the Miocic fight during a brief interview while in attendance UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday.